German Sail GP team tests Sassnitz: sailing fun on the Baltic Sea!

German Sail GP team tests Sassnitz: sailing fun on the Baltic Sea!

In an exciting week for German sailing, the Sail GP team led by team captain and helmsman Erik Heil and "Grinder" Jonathan Knottnerus-Meyer visited the coastal city of Sassnitz. This trip took place on June 20, 2025 and served to familiarize themselves with the nautical conditions of the German sailing route. Sassnitz was deliberately chosen as the venue because it is one of the windest places on the German Baltic Sea coast and offers ideal conditions for quick sailing. NDR reports that the race of the Sail GP 2025 will take place for the first time in Germany, What a special moment for the German team is.

What distinguishes the revolution on the water? The Sail GP is often referred to as "Formula 1 on the water", for good reason. The participating twelve international teams sail in state -of -the -art sailing catamaranes of type F50, which can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per kilometer. These impressive speeds are achieved by the so-called foil technology, which enables the boats to "fly" out of the water. This technology is crucial for the competition in which everything arrives on milliseconds.

the F50 catamaran

The F50 catamarans that are used in the Sail GP have a rumbling length of 50 feet and are optimized for this competition. The catamaran is based on the AC50 design from the America’s Cup 2017, but was further developed. With a crew of six people, including Grip and Trimmer, each participant pursues a common mission: winning the competitive race. Wikipedia emphasizes that the catamaran is not only spectacularly looking, but also enable high -speed races under extreme conditions.

The 27-year-old Jonathan Knottnerus-Meyer, who grew up in Schwerin, is a respected grinder and plays a crucial role in the races. His task is to align the sails to the wind and to optimally trim them with the help of muscle strength and endurance. With great hopes for the best placement in Sassnitz, he is determined to leave a lasting impression.

Sassnitz and the future of the Sail GP

The conversation between the German team and the state government on May 21 gave hope that Sassnitz would also be considered as a venue for 2026. The Sail GP could thus become an integral part of German sailing history, and the anticipation for the upcoming races is growing. The most exciting races are designed for two days and include a total of six exciting competitions-alternating fleet races and a final match race between the best-placed teams. Yachting World reports that the prize money of the season includes a total of $ 1 million, which further increases the attractiveness of the event.

With its innovative technology, the breathtaking speed and the tireless commitment of its teams, the Sail GP could really become the next big thing in water sports. The anticipation for the first races in Germany is huge - and the expectations of the German team are also high!